January 2023 Newsletter
The numbers above reflect the people and agencies we have served, fed, and reached throughout 2022.
The Community’s Engagement
This past year was a year of new opportunities and new faces! We want to thank you, our volunteers, donors and supporters of all types. You help make all the ministry does for the homeless and those in need come to life.
In 2022 we introduced new tools such as Sign-up Genius, a volunteer focused sign-up calendar. By using this new system, we were able to communicate our needs and requests from our operation as efficiently as possible. Our expectations were high, as we provided volunteer opportunities six days a week in multiple parts of the ministry, and you all responded in full!
When our pantry shelves were empty you filled them. When the number of people served increased you showed up with aprons and hairnets. When an act of violence impacted the lives of countless people in East Buffalo you responded with Love. When our Mobile Soup kitchen broke down you got it back on the streets. When Thanksgiving came around you filled over 200 families tables. When people didn’t have a home to return to for Christmas you brought Christmas to them.
When partnerships with other organizations were started you were there to represent Hearts with smiles and dedication. You made sure our Brothers and Sisters were fed, clothed and treated with dignity.
In 2022 tens of thousands of lives were impacted and it was made possible because of you volunteering, donating and engaging!
Thank you! We hope to have the chance to team up with you again in 2023.
A Testimony Of Love
Christmas turned out to be different for everyone here in Western New York due to the blizzard that hit our region. We are praying for those that have experienced great loss from this event and are thankful for so many who came together to help those in need throughout the storm.
Hearts saw some wonderful generosity through the Christmas season. Over 400 dozen cookies were baked and they came from individuals, families and large groups, truly a community effort. So many people inquired and signed up for our Christmas time volunteer opportunities and we are
so thankful.
In early December over 200 stockings filled with winter items and toiletries. The stockings were distributed to our homeless brothers and sisters at the end of December. Christmas dinners were provided to multiple homeless shelters and the annual Christmas Eve dinner was rescheduled for New Year’s Eve.
In the end, the days around Christmas may have looked different, but the spirit remained the same. In fact, it was a true testimony of the community’s love and care for one another. Remember, through it all, that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.
From Hearts Kitchen
“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter.” ~Isaiah 58:7
December 2023
Total Clients Served at Library: 542
Male: 371
Female: 160
Seniors: 2
Children: 9
Hot Meals Made for Homeless Shelters: 4,800
Meal Bags Made for Buffalo Dream Center Outreach: 400
Hearts Harvest Food Pantry
Toys that were donated from the Cub Scouts Pack 268 from Heim Elementary gave the food pantry extra holiday joy. Hearts was able to give a toy to the children who visited before Christmas.
In December, Hearts Harvest Food Pantry Served 8,487 Meals
| Households | Infants | Toddlers | Children | Adults | Seniors | Individuals |
| 390 | 7 | 53 | 241 | 483 | 159 | 943 |
Hearts Harvest Food Pantry provides physical nourishment through groceries and other items; although, the pantry offers much more than just groceries. Through relationships, the ministry’s staff and volunteers are able to make personal connections with our neighbors.
